Human blastocyst development and implantation rate with human recombinant growth factors supplementation of culture media.

In the majority of media for embryo culture, 2 of typical components used are FCS or BSA; however, the presence of FCS in the culture medium has been shown to have a negative effect on embryo quality and the use of animal-derived proteins in culture media increases the risks of disease transmission through in vitro embryo production. The aim of this study was to develop an in vitro embryo culture medium free from FCS and BSA, but with the addition of various growth factors and cytokines (GF-CYK: IGF-I, IGF-II, bFGF, LIF, GM-CSF) 50 ng mL–1 and (TGF-β1) 100 ng mL–1 supplemented with hyaluronan (HA) and recombinant albumin (RA). Bovine oocytes (n = 1043, 6 replicates) from abattoir ovaries were matured in TCM-199 medium with 60 μg mL–1 penicillin, 60 μg mL–1 streptomycin, and 10 ng mL–1 EGF for 24 h at 39°C and 5% CO2 in humidified air. Afterward, the oocytes were fertilized in IVF-TALP medium with 6 mg mL–1 fatty acid-free BSA and 1.7 IU mL–1 heparin for 18 h under the same conditions. After fertilization, presumptive zygotes were divided into two groups and cultured in 30 μL droplets of SOF supplemented with (1) 0.4% BSA + 5 μg mL–1 insulin, 5 μg mL–1 transferrin, and 5 ng mL–1 selenium (ITS) as a control; or (2) GF-CYK + 0.5 mg mL–1 HA + 0.15% RA (M1). Droplets were preserved under mineral oil in a humidified atmosphere of 5% CO2, 5% O2, and 90% N2 at 39°C. Blastocyst development and blastocyst diameter was observed at 7 and 8 days post-fertilization (dpf). Developmental and diameter data were analysed using the Wilcoxon test by using R software. The blastocyst rates were not significantly different between the control and M1 medium: at 7 dpf (22.9% ± 4.8 and 30.2% ± 3.0), and at 8 dpf (29.6% ± 5.1 and 37.4% ± 2.0 respectively; P > 0.05). The blastocyst diameter obtained with the M1 medium was significantly greater (P < 0.05) than that of the control at 7 dpf (173.3 μm ± 4.9 and 157.2 μm ± 4.1, respectively); however, no significant differences were observed at 8 dpf (190.3 μm ± 5.2 and 179.7 μm ± 5.3, respectively). In conclusion, the FCS- and BSA-free medium with GF-CYK, HA, and RA (M1) showed a comparable development rate to the control medium at 7 and 8 dpf. These growth factors and cytokines in association with hyaluronan and recombinant albumin have a synergistic action by promoting an increase in the blastocyst diameter at 7 dpf. This is fully synthetic method of embryo culture; it presents a valuable tool to reduce the risks of disease transmission via embryo transfer.

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Isolation, Characterization, and Differentiation of Stem Cells From Various Dental Sources: An In Vitro Study

Journal of Advanced Oral Research ◽

10.1177/23202068211010768 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 232020682110107

Author(s):

Sandeep S. Katti ◽

Kishore Bhat ◽

Chetana Bogar

Keyword(s):

Stem Cells ◽

Growth Factors ◽

Statistical Analysis ◽

Specific Growth ◽

Culture Media ◽

In Vitro Study ◽

Central Research ◽

Cell Lineages ◽

Apical Papilla

Aim: The aim of the current study was to isolate stem cells from various dental sources such as dental pulp, periodontal ligament (PDL), and apical papilla, and to characterize stem cells by staining for the presence/absence of specific surface markers and also to differentiate stem cells into osteogenic, chondrogenic, and adipogenic cell lineages by exposing them to specific growth factors under the ideal conditions. Materials and Methods: A total of 117 samples were included in the study, consisting of 30 pulp, 50 gingival, 35 PDL, and 2 apical papilla samples. The pulp was extirpated and transported to the Central Research Laboratory. Gingival connective tissue was collected from the participants undergoing any crown lengthening procedure or any gingivectomy procedure from the Department of Periodontology. A similar procedure was also followed for apical papilla and PDL. Isolation was done followed by the identification of the cells by immunocytochemistry using different markers. Once the identity of cells was confirmed, these cells were treated with different culture media to attain 70% to 100% confluency. Then the medium was replaced with a conditioning medium containing specific growth factors for differentiation into osteogenic, chondrogenic, and adipogenic cell lineages. Result: In our study, the number of samples collected and processed was 117. The isolation rate of stem cells from the above-collected samples was 70%. Statistical analysis—no statistical analysis was done as there was no variability expected. Conclusion: Our study showed that stem cells could be isolated, differentiated, and characterized from different dental sources.

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Effect of prolonged exposition to growth factors differently on proliferation of CRC cell cultures encapsulated in alginate.

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2021.39.15_suppl.e15610 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽

pp. e15610-e15610

Author(s):

Svetlana Yu. Filippova ◽

Anastasia O. Sitkovskaya ◽

Irina V. Mezhevova ◽

Sofia V. Timofeeva ◽

Tatiana V. Shamova ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Growth Factors ◽

Culture Media ◽

Alginate Beads ◽

Encapsulated Cells ◽

Test Systems ◽

The Difference ◽

High Doses ◽

Culturing Conditions ◽

Ht 29 ◽

Resistant Cells

e15610 Background: Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are promising targets in modern oncology. A lot of CSCs enrichment and cultivation techniques are being currently developed. Most of the approaches deploy high doses of growth factors in culture media, - EGF and FGF2 above all, - without prior testing. Since prolonged exposition to growth factors may cause paradoxical growth inhibition it is worth developing test systems to evaluate culturing conditions before establishing the main experiment. Encapsulation in alginate may serve as a promising approach to develop such test-systems due to alginate reduced ability to adsorb proteins and maintain proper attachment to the ECM of non-stem cell even in the presence of serum. It is important to notice that serum addition may be crucial during initial stages of primary CSCs culture establishment. The aim of the study was to test EGF and FGF2 effects on anoikis resistant cells growth in permanent colorectal cancer cell lines. Methods: The cells of Caco-2, HT-29, and HCT 116 cultures were encapsulated in 1% alginate beads at a concentration of 100 000 cells/ml. Subsequently encapsulated cells were kept in 2 variants of culture media: DMEM/F12 + 10%FBS with and without addition of growth factors (EGF 20 ng/ml, FGF2 10 ng/ml). The cultivation was carried out for 10 days, after that the colonies area (A) was measured. Data are given as: Mean ± 95% confidence interval. Results: The average area of Caco-2 culture colonies increased significantly with the addition of growth factors (FBS only A = 1755.16±195.87 μm2, with additional growth factors Af = 3270.57±274.91 μm2), the difference was significant (t = 8.83, n = 300, p < 0,05). The area of HCT116 colonies after growth factors addition increased only slightly (A = 2844.89±461.57 μm2, Af = 3530.31±503.85 μm2), the difference nevertheless did not reach significant values (t = 1.94, n = 300, p > 0.05). At the same time, the area of HT-29 colonies significantly decreased in the culture medium containing additional growth factors (A = 4605.10±324.02 μm2, Af = 3167.85±249.07 μm2), the difference was significant (t = 6.92, n = 300, p < 0.05). Conclusions: Combining alginate encapsulation and colonies size measurement enabled us to evaluate culturing conditions of anoikis resistant cells in permanent CRC cultures and proved growth factors addition to be an ambiguous practice in CSCs research. This tactics can be applied in a broad spectrum of tasks concerning more effective CSCs medium formulations development.

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P–227 Fatty acid regulation of Nrf2/Keap1 pathway during mouse preimplantation embryo development

Human Reproduction ◽

10.1093/humrep/deab130.226 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 36 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

G Dionne ◽

A J Watson ◽

D H Betts ◽

B A Rafea

Keyword(s):

Oleic Acid ◽

Fatty Acid ◽

Palmitic Acid ◽

Embryo Development ◽

Embryo Culture ◽

Preimplantation Embryo ◽

Culture Media ◽

Control Group ◽

Blastocyst Development ◽

Preimplantation Embryo Development

Abstract Study question Our objective is determining whether supplementing embryo culture media with palmitic acid and/or oleic acid impacts Nrf2/Keap1 antioxidant response pathways during preimplantation mouse embryo development. Summary answer Supplementation of embryo culture media with palmitic acid increases cellular Nrf2 levels per embryo after 48-hour culture, while oleic acid reverses this effect. What is known already Obese women experience higher incidence of infertility than women with healthy BMIs. The obese reproductive tract environment supporting preimplantation embryo development is likely to include enhanced free fatty acid (FFA) levels and increased accumulation of reactive oxygen species. Exposure to palmitic acid (PA) in vitro significantly impairs mouse embryo development while increasing ER stress mRNAs. Oleic acid (OA) reverses these effects. To further define effects of FFA exposure, we are characterizing the influence of FFAs on the Nrf2–Keap1 pathway and its downstream antioxidant defense systems. We hypothesize that PA treatment induces Nrf2-Keap1 activity, while OA treatment alleviates pathway activity. Study design, size, duration Female CD–1 mice (4–6 weeks) were super-ovulated via intraperitoneal injections of PMSG, followed 48 hours later by hCG. Female mice were mated with male CD–1 mice (6–8 months) overnight. Females were euthanized using CO2 and two-cell embryos were collected by flushing oviducts. Two-cell embryos were placed into KSOMaa-based treatment groups: 1) BSA (control); 2) 100µM PA; 3) 100µM OA; 4) 100µM PA+OA, and cultured for 48 hours (37 °C; 5% O2, 5% CO2, 90% N2). Participants/materials, setting, methods After 48-hour embryo culture, developmental stages of all mouse embryos were recorded. Immunofluorescence analysis of Nrf2 and Keap1 localization was performed for embryo treatments (BSA, 100µM PA, 100µM OA & 100µM PA+OA) using rabbit polyclonal anti-Nrf2 antibody, with Rhodamine-Phalloidin and DAPI staining. Embryos were imaged using confocal microscopy and Nrf2-positive cells were counted using ImageJ. Nrf2 and Keap1 mRNA abundances were assessed after culture in each treatment condition using RT-qPCR and the delta-delta Ct method. Main results and the role of chance Inclusion of 100µM PA in embryo culture significantly decreased blastocyst development frequency from 70.06±16.38% in the BSA (control) group to 11.61±8.19% in the PA-treated group (p < 0.0001). Embryo culture with 100µM OA and 100µM PA+OA co-treatment did not significantly impair blastocyst development (OA: 61.59±8.07%, p = 0.4053; PA+OA: 63.53±7.63%, p = 0.6204). Embryo culture with PA treatment significantly increased the mean percentage of Nrf2-positive cells to 56.83±30.49% compared with 21.22±15.63% in the control group (p < 0.0001). Conversely, 100µM OA and 100µM PA+OA treatments did not significantly affect Nrf2-positive cell frequencies compared with the control group (OA: 33.28±21.83%, p = 0.1825; PA+OA: 34.84±12.66%, p = 0.0691). Immunofluorescence results show that treating embryos with 100µM PA for 48 hours results in increased levels of cellular Nrf2, while combining 100µM PA with 100µM OA reversed these effects. Preliminary qPCR analysis showed no significant differences in Nrf2 or Keap1 relative transcript abundance between any embryo treatment groups. Nrf2 and Keap1 mRNA levels were both higher after embryo culture with 100µM OA than all other culture groups (p = 0.6268; p = 0.3201). Notably, Keap1 relative transcript levels dropped to undetectable levels after culture with 100µM PA, which suggests an increase in Nrf2 activation.Limitations, reasons for caution: While immunofluorescence localization of Nrf2/Keap1 provides insight into how the proteins behave during preimplantation embryo development, confocal images cannot determine protein-protein interactions or activity levels. Similarly, transcript information from RT-qPCR analysis only provides information about Nrf2 and Keap1 at the transcript level. Nrf2 activity will be assessed via downstream targets. Wider implications of the findings: The Nrf2–Keap1 pathway coordinates numerous cellular defence mechanisms, and is implicated in various diseases, including cancer. Establishing an impact of free fatty acid exposure on Nrf2–Keap1 during preimplantation embryo development will provide valuable information regarding the effects of maternal obesity on outcomes for embryos produced from these patients. Trial registration number Not applicable

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Factors affecting the success of human blastocyst development and pregnancy following in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer 11Portions of these data were previously published in Jones et al. (7).

Fertility and Sterility ◽

10.1016/s0015-0282(98)00342-2 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 70 (6) ◽

pp. 1022-1029 ◽

Cited By ~ 114

Author(s):

Gayle M Jones ◽

Alan O Trounson ◽

Nick Lolatgis ◽

Carl Wood

Keyword(s):

In Vitro Fertilization ◽

Embryo Transfer ◽

Blastocyst Development ◽

Vitro Fertilization ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Human Blastocyst

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160EFFECTS OF EXTRACELLULAR ION CONCENTRATIONS ON IN VITRO DEVELOPMENT OF DOMESTIC CAT IVF EMBRYOS

Reproduction Fertility and Development ◽

10.1071/rdv16n1ab160 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 16 (2) ◽

pp. 202 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

W.F. Swanson ◽

A.L. Manharth ◽

J.B. Bond ◽

H.L. Bateman ◽

R.L. Krisher ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Culture Media ◽

Ionic Composition ◽

Cell Number ◽

Blastocyst Stage ◽

Domestic Cat ◽

Embryo Viability ◽

Blastocyst Development ◽

In Vitro Development ◽

Vitro Development

Domestic cat embryos typically are cultured in media formulated for somatic cells or embryos from rodents or livestock species. Under these conditions, blastocyst development has been inconsistent and delayed relative to embryos grown in vivo, and embryo viability following transfer has been low. Our goal is to systematically define the culture requirements of the feline embryo to improve embryo development and viability. The objective of this study was to determine the ionic (NaCl, KCl, KH2PO4, and CaCl2:MgSO4) preferences of domestic cat IVF embryos. Anestral female cats were injected (i.m.) with 150IU eCG followed 84h later by 100IUhCG. Oocytes were recovered via laparoscopic follicular aspiration approximately 24h post-hCG injection (Day 0). Semen was collected from one of two males by means of an artificial vagina and washed once in HEPES-buffered IVF medium. Mature cumulus-oocyte complexes were co-incubated with 2.5–5×105 motile sperm mL−1 in IVF medium (100mM NaCl, 4.0mM KCl, 1.0mM KH2 PO4, 2.0mM CaCl2, 1.0mM MgSO4-7H2O, 25.0mM NaHCO3, 3.0mM glucose, 0.1mM pyruvate, 6.0mM L-lactate, 1.0mM glutamine, 0.1mM taurine, 1×MEM nonessential amino acids, 50μgmL−1 gentamicin, and 4.0mgmL−1 BSA) for 19 to 22h in 6% CO2 in air (38.7°C). Cumulus cells were removed and embryos cultured (8–11 embryos/50μL drop; 6% CO2, 5% O2, 89% N2, 38.7°C) in media containing 100.0 or 120.0mM NaCl, 4.0 or 8.0mM KCl, 0.25 or 1.0mM KH2PO4, and 1.0mM:2.0mM or 2.0mM:1.0mM CaCl2:MgSO4 (2×2×2×2 factorial design). The remaining components of the culture medium were identical to the IVF medium (but w/o gentamicin). Development to the blastocyst stage by Day 6, metabolism (glycolysis and pyruvate) of each blastocyst, and final cell number (Hoechst 33342 staining) of all embryos were evaluated. Final cell number of cleaved embryos and development to the blastocyst stage were analyzed using analysis of variance in the GLIMMIX macro of SAS. A total of 236 oocytes were inseminated, yielding 128 cleaved embryos (54%), including 6 blastocysts (4.7% of cleaved embryos). Cell number was not (P>0.05) affected by NaCl, KCl, or KH2PO4 concentrations, but tended (P=0.057) to be higher after culture in 2.0mM:1.0mM CaCl2:MgSO4. Treatments did not significantly affect (P>0.05) development to the blastocyst stage, but numerically more blastocysts were produced in 100.0mM NaCl (4/6), 8.0mM KCl (5/6), or 1.0mM KH2PO4 (5/6). Both CaCl2:MgSO4 ratios resulted in 3 blastocysts. Blastocysts contained 61.08±5.1 (mean±SEM, n=6) cells and actively metabolized glucose (glycolysis, 3.7±0.8pmol/embryo/3h or 0.06±0.01pmol/cell/3h) and pyruvate (0.75±0.27pmol/embryo/3h or 0.013±0.005pmol/cell/3h). These results suggest that the ionic composition of culture media influences the in vitro development of cat IVF embryos. (Supported by NIH grant RR15388.)

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